One Size does not fit all

Each country adapts the Step by Step program to address national educational standards and local culture, as well as economic, political and social issues.

Changing Policy: Collaboration with Ministries

Step by Step works in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other relevant public bureaus and seeks accreditation and financing for specific training courses, in order to facilitate the widest access to the program. SbS invites the participation of local and national policy makers in all aspects of program implementation. Step by Step teams provide their ministries with technical expertise on national early childhood policy development and are often partners on projects supported by international organizations. In many countries, the principles of Step by Step have been accepted as the national standard for early childhood education.

As I think about the different needs of communities and countries around the world I really appreciate that Step by Step provides a framework for the local experts to use to move forward an early childhood agenda that is right for their society.

There is much to be learned from each other.  There are nations whose governments are fully engaged in supporting education for all.  There are others that do not.  As I develop further into my career I appreciate how much we can learn from each other.  I hope that as I work to help all children in the US access quality early childhood programs that I can learn from and help other nations along the way.

I often talk about wanting qualtity early childhood programs for children but from review the website I have come t o discover a better way of thinking especially when thinking from a global perspective.  My goal is to support programs and policies that allow all children to be happy and reach their full potential!

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   ISSA’s Overarching Goal
   is to promote inclusive, quality care and education experiences that create the conditions for every child to be happy and reach his or her full potential. ISSA does this through: raising awareness of the importance of quality care and education; developing resources; piloting/evaluating programs, influencing policies, building capacity of organizations in the network, disseminating information; advocating; and strengthening alliances.
   
   
   
   

Meet Delfena Mitchell

I have not heard back from any of the 5 people I tried to contact.  I also reached out to a colleague who had some international contacts in hopes to make a personal contact.  Although my collegue indicated she would send me contact information I have not recieved it yet so I went ahead and listened to several of the World Forum podcasts.  I am going to share a little about Delfena Mitchel.

Delfena Mitchell lives outside Belize City, Belize.  Belize is a small county just south of Mexico.  Delfena works with children in a residential facility for children of abuse.  Delfena explained that Belize has the highest rate of child abuse in the Carribean.  She talked about working with a child who had not spoken in a year.  He had been abused and had witnessed the abuse of his sister.  He had tried to return to school but was unable to and was asked to leave.  Delfena built a relationship with this child.  One day when they were on a horseback ride together he began to talk about his past.  He eventually began to talk all the time.

My biggest take away form this week's focus on poverty is that we can not get caught up thinking about poverty from a culture of poverty perspective or a stereotype.  We can not except the myths that say all poor people are drug addicts or lazy or they do not value education.  As with people with diverse abilities we need to understand cirrcumstances, recognize strengths and build systems to help create a culture that supports young children and their families to obtain good health care, nutrition and qualitiy early learning experiences so they can thrive and become successful adults.

International Step by Step Association

International Step by Step Association

ISSA's Profile

Vision

A society where families, communities and professionals work together to empower each child to reach her or his full potential and embrace values of social justice and equity.

Mission

ISSA's mission is to support professional communities and develop a strong civil society that influences and assists decision makers to:

• provide high quality care and educational services for all children from birth through primary school (birth through 10 years old), with a focus on the poorest and most disadvantaged
• ensure greater inclusion of family and community participation in children's development and learning
• ensure social inclusion and respect for diversity.

ISSA's overarching goal is to promote inclusive, quality care and education experiences that create the conditions for every child to be happy and reach his or her full potential. ISSA does this through: raising awareness of the imp ortance of quality care and education; developing resources; piloting/evaluating programs, influencing policies, building capacity of organizations in the network, disseminating information; advocating; and strengthening alliances.

International Step by Step Association (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.issa.nl/issasprofile.html

This organization caught my attention because of its international visibility with members in 31 countries.  They have a vast amount of research based resources offered on their website including courses for preschool and kindergarten teachers on child centered practices, a resource packet on quality pedagogy, and a joint publication on diversity and social inclusion.  They also have an extensive collection of children's books written by authors around the world and available in many languages.  

I see their focus on quality early experiences for all children world wide so they can be happy and reach his or her full potential as something I would like to be a part of.

Establishing Global Contacts

Today I reached out to 5 Early Childhood Professionals from across the globe.  As I started I wanted to reach out to someone from Europe, Asia, Central America, Africa and South America to get a diverse perspective.  After doing a little searching on the Global Alliance page of the NAEYC website I was unable to find an email address for an organization in South America so I chose a second organization in Europe and I decided to contact someone in Haiti rather then in the main part of Central America.  I am hoping to hear back from at least of 3 of the contacts in the next few days.

My plan if I do not hear back from any of these contacts is to touch base with some of my NAEYC colleagues who are connected internationally to see if they could introduce me to some of their contacts.

Many of the contacts I attempted to make were part of the Step by Step International Association.  Because I had no previous knowledge of SSIA I decided to look at their website more closely.  After reviewing the website I found it to be very comprehensive.  I was especially drawn to the bookstore page, which featured children's books written around the world.  I had quickly move off the page for fear of my credit card balance.  I am planning on becoming a member of their online community.

My Supports

The following is a list of supports I use so that I can successfully make it through each day. 

1) My Alarm Clock - even though I am often awake when the music starts playing, my alarm clock tells me it is time to begin my day.  If I do not have an alarm set it means I can stay where I am until my daughter gets me out of bed!

2) My Routine - My typical day has a basic routine or time table that I follow.  I like my routine and it can be frustrating to me if I can not follow it.  My routine is the basic structure of my day.

3) My Daily Plan - This is different then my routine which is a basic time table.  This is a list either written or in my head of what specifically needs to be completed during a particular day and how I am going to get it done.

4) My Calendar - My electronic calendar keeps me organized and on schedule.  It reminds me when and where I need to be.  It supports my ability to make a plan for each day/week.

5) My Car - My car takes me from point A to point B.  It allows me to get to work, a meeting, the grocery store,  to my daughter's school, or anywhere else I need to be throughout the day.

6) My Family - My relationship with my family gives me emotional fuel especially when my life gets really crazy.  A hug, a smile, or a friendly reminder that I need to get something done are all ways I feel supported by my family.

7) My Co-workers - My co-workers lend support in the work place.  We share ideas, collaborate on projects, give each other breaks, and brainstorm how to best support the children and families in our program.

8) My Computer -  My computer allows me to communicate with colleagues, family and friends.  It gives me access to Walden University  and  my classes.  It houses my calendar.  It gives me access to all sorts of information.

9) Spell Check - I have always had a difficult time with spelling words correctly and often changed the word I wanted to use for one with less meaning because I could spell it.  Between my course work and my volunteer work I find that I am writing a lot at this time in my life.  With spell check on my computer, my Ipad and my phone, I can write confidently knowing I have an electronic support to help me spell.  (I still stump the spell check on a regular basis!)

      As I was reflecting on my life and the supports that help me maintain daily success,  I could not help imagining how things would be different if I was visually challenged.   Many of the electronic supports I currently count on daily, an alarm clock, a calendar, and a computer would still be available but they would be specialized equipment that would require the support of specially trained people to set them up, maintain them and continually teach and update me on how to use them.

    To move around my home, my work place and my community, I could imagine having the support of specially trained dog.  A trained dog would allow for my continued independence while keeping me safe from harm... like tripping over a snow boot left in the hallway at the preschool or being hit by car when crossing the street.  A dog would also be a constant companion.

    I would have to have the support of a system to transport me from my home to places around the community.  Without some sort of transportation plan I would not be able to leave my home which would be very confining.  I think this would be something I would personally find very challenging as I like to count on myself for transportation back and forth from my home.

    Finally, I would have to have a great support system of people.  I would need specially trained teachers to help me learn to read and communicate in a way that I do not currently know.  I would need specially trained technicians to maintain my electronic equipment that is specific to my situation.  I would need special trainers for my dog.  And finally I would need a family and friends that could celebrate my successes and cheer me on when I was challenged.
   

The Play of My Childhood

" For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snowstorms and rainstorms..."

Henry David Thoreau

"Go and play. Run around. Build something. Break something.  Climb a tree.  Get dirty. Get in some trouble.  Have some fun."

Brom, The Child Thief

I grew up in a suburban neighborhood full of other families with children.  From the time I can remember I was outdoors playing.  First with my cousin in the fenced in backyard and then out to the far reaches of our block and beyond.  We made forts in hollowed out bushes, refereed our own kickball games,  had lemonade stands... counted the money and rode our bikes (without adults) to the drug store to spend our earnings.  I built some of the best friendship of my life in my neighborhood.  We played inside too, but it is the memories of running home from school so I could get out with the other children that are the closest to my heart.

Play and the outdoors is part of the culture here in Jackson, Wyoming.  Many parents moved here in their early adulthood so they could pursue their favorite play activities... skiing, hiking, kayaking, painting, or gazing at the beauty of the mountains.  As they have chosen to have families they encourage their children to get out and play.  I see kids making snow forts, riding bikes, swimming in the river and having lemonade stands. I feel lucky to live in such a place.

For many children this is not the case.  When I hear statistics related to the hours many children spend in front of a screen, I cannot help thinking of the fun playful experiences they are missing.  It makes me sad to think how their muscles are sitting idle, of the friendships that could be developing and the discoveries that are being missed. My awareness of these missed opportunities helps to fuel my desire to advocate for children, their families and the practices that make life rich.

Play is still an important part of my life and fills my heart with joy.  In fact I am up late working on my blog so I can ski with friends tomorrow.  

Remember...

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing"

George Bernard Shaw

Happy New Year

Dear Walden Colleagues,

Thank you for all the thoughtful discussion and support over the last 16 weeks.  I hope everyone has a restful break.  I look forward to connecting with you all again in the New Year!

Sincerely,

Betsy Carlin